LaMelo Ball Says He's Ready to Lead Hornets: 'I Feel Like I Was Born to Do This'

After he was drafted third overall by the Charlotte Hornets Wednesday night, LaMelo Ball is prepared to do whatever it takes to help the Hornets compete—including step into the role of franchise player. 

"I feel like I was born to do this," he said, per SportsCenter.

Ball, who most recently played for the Hawks in Australia's National Basketball League, will join Terry Rozier and Devonte' Graham in the backcourt for the Hornets, and while Ball may not immediately factor in as a starter, he may help provide a facelift for a forgotten Hornets franchise that hasn't made the postseason since the 2015-16 campaign, when Kemba Walker was leading Charlotte. 

Through 12 games with the Hawks last season, he averaged 17.0 points per game, 7.6 rebounds and 6.8 assists in 31.3 minutes per appearance. He only shot 37.5 percent from the field, though, and 25.0 percent from three.

In a way, Ball was born to be the face of a franchise. He is the youngest of the three Ball brothers—Lonzo was drafted by the Lakers with the second pick in 2017, and LiAngelo, who plays for the Thunder's G League affiliate— and his father LaVar Ball has been grooming him for his moment in the spotlight. 

While scouts praised Ball's confidence and playmaking abilities ahead of Wednesday's draft, they also made comments about his immaturity and "weird release" from beyond the arc in speaking to Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman.

With Charlotte looking to post its first winning season since it went 48-34 in 2015-16, Ball may have to step it up on and off the court.